A new macro-imager based on Tpx3Cam optical camera for PLIM applications

The recently designed Tpx3Cam camera based PLIM (Phosphorescence Lifetime IMaging) macro-imager was tested using an array of phosphorescent chemical and biological samples. A series of sensor materials prepared by incorporating the phosphorescent O2-sensitive dye, PtBP, into five polymers with different O2 permeability were imaged along with several commercial and non-commercial sensors based on PtBP and PtOEPK dyes. The PLIM images showed good lifetime contrast between the different materials, and phosphorescence lifetime values obtained were consistent with those measured by alternative methods. A panel of live tissues samples stained with PtBP based nanoparticle probe were also prepared and imaged under resting conditions and upon inhibition of respiration. The macro-imager showed promising results as a tool for PLIM of O2 in chemical and biological samples

"Feed from the Service": Corruption and Coercion in the State-University Relations in Central Eurasia

Education in Central Eurasia has become one of the industries, most affected by corruption. Corruption in academia, including bribery, extortions, embezzlement, nepotism, fraud, cheating, and plagiarism, is reflected in the region’s media and addressed in few scholarly works. This paper considers corruption in higher education as a product of interrelations between the government and academia. A substantial block of literature considers excessive corruption as an indicator of a weak state. In contrast to standard interpretations, this paper argues that in non-democratic societies corruption is used on a systematic basis as a mechanism of direct and indirect administrative control over higher education institutions. Informal approval of corrupt activities in exchange for loyalty and compliance with the regime may be used in the countries of Central Eurasia for the purposes of political indoctrination. This paper presents the concept of corruption and coercion in the state-university relations in Central Eurasia and outlines the model which incorporates this concept and the “feed from the service” approach. It presents implications of this model for the state-university relations and the national educational systems in Central Eurasia in general and offers some suggestions on curbing corruption

Nuclear astrophysics with radioactive ions at FAIR

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by neutron captures in the s and r processes. However, 32 stable, proton-rich isotopes cannot be formed during those processes, because they are shielded from the s-process flow and r-process, β-decay chains. These nuclei are attributed to the p and rp process. For all those processes, current research in nuclear astrophysics addresses the need for more precise reaction data involving radioactive isotopes. Depending on the particular reaction, direct or inverse kinematics, forward or time-reversed direction are investigated to determine or at least to constrain the desired reaction cross sections. The Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) will offer unique, unprecedented opportunities to investigate many of the important reactions. The high yield of radioactive isotopes, even far away from the valley of stability, allows the investigation of isotopes involved in processes as exotic as the r or rp processes

The foundation of parameters and operating conditions of the agricultural unit with the operating organs, propulsion motor

The purpose of the work: the development of the unit with active operating organs, propulsion motors, foundation of its parameters and modes of operation to reduce the energy capacity of the soil treatment. Developed has been the unit with operating organs, propulsion motors, and the necessity of its application in the agricultural production when treating the soil has been grounded. The experimental version has been introduced in kolchozes named after Lenin and XX Part Congress of the Samarskaya region, the tests have been performed in the Povolzhskaya MIS. The annual economic efficiency resulting from the application of the unit with the annual load of 330 h has considered 217.5 roubles, when working in the field, and 188.9 roubles in stubble without cost of the production to be received from the better quality of the soil treatment (the prices of 1991)Available from VNTIC / VNTIC - Scientific & Technical Information Centre of RussiaSIGLERURussian Federatio

Cold-formed Steel Framing of a Dairy Products Warehouse in Brest, Belarus

The main advantages and disadvantages of cold-formed steel framed structures are discussed, and the basic principles for their analysis and design are considered. Some specific structural features of the thinwalled cold-formed steel framing of a dairy warehouse designed by Proektnauka LLC (Brest, RB), are described, and several recommendations so as to improve its structural design are given

SERS-Based Colloidal Aptasensors for Quantitative Determination of Influenza Virus

Development of sensitive techniques for rapid detection of viruses is on a high demand. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an appropriate tool for new techniques due to its high sensitivity. DNA aptamers are short structured oligonucleotides that can provide specificity for SERS biosensors. Existing SERS-based aptasensors for rapid virus detection had several disadvantages. Some of them lacked possibility of quantitative determination, while others had sophisticated and expensive implementation. In this paper, we provide a new approach that combines rapid specific detection and the possibility of quantitative determination of viruses using the example of influenza A virus